Kyle Kuchirka, 25, an actor and recent graduate of the University of Saskatchewan's drama department, said he tried to cross the U.S. border between Abbotsford, B.C., and Sumas, Wash., on Aug. 29.I imagine that former Soviet customs offers can only look at our CBP people and say to themselves "we were never that mean-spirited."
Kuchirka, who is also a set designer, said he was on his way to volunteer his skills at the Sh'Bang Art Festival near Bellingham, Wash. But he was questioned at the border by an agent, who then directed him to a side room inside the large customs building.
After more than four hours of questioning, he said, he was handed a document informing him he was prohibited from entering the U.S. for five years. "You do not have work authorization," the document stated.
...
Inside the customs building, Kuchirka said the guard told him he would be taking American jobs.
Kuchirka replied that he was a volunteer, and his only payment was free meals. He was paying all of his own expenses.
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About 30 years ago, my wife (girlfriend at the time) and I were driving her parents to Seattle where they were going to catch a plane to fly to California to visit their son and newborn grandson. At the Blaine WA border crossing, they asked us the purpose of the trip and we said they were going to CA to visit and babysit their grandson. Somehow the border guy interpreted that as "working" and refused to let us cross. Luckily for us, things weren't as computerized back then, so we rushed over to the truck crossing a mile away, didn't use the word "babysit" and got through fine and made it to the plane on time.
"I imagine that former Soviet customs offers can only look at our CBP people and say to themselves "we were never that mean-spirited.""
Do you really believe statements like this, or is this just hyperbole?
Asking for a friend
Kinda crazy to keep out a volunteer from the country, B. Or is that in itself also a hyperbole as well?
Glad to know you have at least one friend in this world.
Yes, B., I do. It is patently true.
Damn, posted too fast. Don’t forget that the State of New Mexico redesigned their license plates to include the phrase “New Mexico U.S.A.” because people were being pulled over and detained because they were from Mexico, according to a number of Officers (whose geography teachers shook their heads in despair).
One of my favorite Canadian musicians doesn't tour the US anymore, since it is too difficult to do now. I buy their merchandise direct, and haven't attended the venue their shows were at for a few years now. So how does that help the economy?
CenterPuke88 - My father was born in New Mexico. When my parents married, my mom was asked if he was naturalized.
Anyone volunteering to do work in Canada faces the same problem.
Really Dean, please provide a link or reference. I looked and simply found stories of Canadian volunteers being denied entry, starting in 2017.
There is a show about border crossing that shows people trying to enter the USA and Canada and this comes up every once and awhile .
As soon as you take room and board for a job your no longer volunteering . Seems to work the same both ways .
If your volunteering for a for profit company then your definitely violating wage laws as is the company .
However I do know people that got turned back from going to New Orleans to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity because the guards felt that it was an affront to the country to accept the help of foreigners .
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